Celebrate the halting of the West Dryden Road Pipeline!

PSC Approves Non-Pipe Alternative to West Dryden Road Pipeline

November 16, 2017

PSC Approves Non-Pipe Alternative to West Dryden Road Pipeline

In a precedent setting decision, the Public Service Commission last week unanimously approved NYSEG’s compressor proposal and ordered the prompt issuance of a request for proposals to address area energy and economic development needs as an alternative to the Lansing/Freeville Reinforcement Gas Pipeline Project, also known as the West Dryden Road natural gas pipeline.

“Tompkins County applauds last week’s decision by the Public Service Commission, and the willingness of the Commission and NYSEG to work with our community to find new ways to address old problems. NYSEG’s solution allows us to address critical safety and reliability concerns without expanding our carbon footprint,” said Tompkins County Legislator Martha Robertson. “We look forward to seeing the innovative solutions that are proposed in the request for proposals to support economic development while cutting our use of fossil fuels.”

NYSEG’s compressor solution involves placement of four pressure boosters at strategic locations along NYSEG’s existing gas distribution system in and around the Village of Lansing to ensure operating pressure in the Lansing service area stays at safe operating levels during very cold, high-heating-demand days. The pressure boosters are expected to be installed in time for the 2018-19 heating season.

In September, the Tompkins County Legislature voted unanimously to support NYSEG’s compressor proposal so that safety and reliability concerns could be addressed as quickly as possible. Similarly, Tompkins County Area Development, the area’s business development agency, sent a letter to the PSC indicating their support, and encouraging a swift process in order to support business development and job creation in the region.

“Tompkins County has already seen significant local development without gas – using energy-efficient air and ground-source heat-pumps in applications from single-family homes to large scale housing and commercial projects," Robertson continued. "NYSEG’s request for proposals will enable our community to innovate even further.”

Several municipalities, including the City of Ithaca and towns of Ithaca, Caroline and Dryden are currently researching policies to encourage new development using heat-pumps instead of fossil-fuels such as natural gas or propane to meet their project’s heating and hot-water needs.

NYSEG had tried since 2014 to install a pipeline along West Dryden Road, but met with significant community resistance, from homeowners who didn’t want a pipeline in their front yard and from people across the county who are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thousands of people contacted the PSC opposing the pipeline and several hundred community members wrote in support of NYSEG’s compressor proposal.

“Our decision is based, in part, upon New York’s climate goals along with the significant public input we received from the local community keen to protect the environment and reduce the community’s greenhouse gas emissions,” said Public Service Commission Chair John B. Rhodes, in a prepared statement. “With the environment in mind, this pilot project is intended to boost the gas distribution system’s ability to maintain reliable supply without the need to build a new gas pipeline.”

“The PSC’s ruling supporting a non-pipe alternative signals the State’s growing recognition that investing in costly natural gas infrastructure – whether a home-furnace, a pipeline or power-plant – is a poor investment that commits us to burning climate-damaging fossil fuels for the next 20 - 40 years,” said Irene Weiser, Councilmember in the Town of Caroline and coordinator of Fossil Free Tompkins. “The PSC’s decision is an important step on the path to replacing natural gas with renewable heating solutions and reaching the goals of the Governor’s State Energy Plan.”

“This decision will be remembered as marking the end of fossil fuel expansion in Tompkins County, and the beginning of statewide enlightenment: government, utilities, and citizens can collaborate on meeting our necessary energy transformation goals.” said Anthony Ingraffea, Ph.D., P.E., Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering Emeritus and Weiss Presidential Teaching Fellow at Cornell University, whose recent work has focused on meeting the goals of the State’s Energy Plan. “We thank the PSC, the Department of Public Service staff, and NYSEG for their vision to use small pressure boosters, rather than increasing gas supply, as an integral part of Tompkins County's energy transition goals.”

Good opinion piece in Ithaca Journal

Aesop was right. He shared the story of an ass who found a lion's skin, put it on, and seemed invincible to others in his village. But when he brayed, everyone recognized him, and his owner beat him for the fright he had caused. A fox approached the ass and said, “I knew you by your voice." Aesop’s moral: Looks may disguise, but silly words disclose the truth.

NYSEG recently found a new skin in which to dress in Tompkins County. Perhaps you’ve heard of it: the Energy Smart Community initiative. Herein, NYSEG will upgrade its grid investments and “engage customers to make them empowered and active in our ‘energy ecosystem.’”

But then there’s the real voice of NYSEG, telling us that it must simultaneously build a pipeline to bring fracked natural gas from Pennsylvania to serve the expanding energy needs of Tompkins County. This is confusing, even contradictory. Which is the real voice of NYSEG?

If NYSEG wants to build real energy smart communities in its service area, it would speak with one voice rather than two. This voice would support the 2015 Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors, using primarily local renewables, and demand reduction. And it would take the lead in New York state’s “Reforming the Energy Vision” (REV) goal of a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2030.

There is no doubt that energy-smart communities are needed across America and beyond. Iberdrola (NYSEG’s international parent company) is the largest owner and operator of renewable energy facilities in the world and a leader in utility innovation.

Yet NYSEG, its prodigal child, is sending us a truly mixed message. Smart electricity meters, new websites and energy efficiency services are all welcome. But if NYSEG were promoting real energy-smart and sustainable communities, it would park its natural gas pipeline.

Charles Geisler is an Ithaca resident.​

Don’t Be A Grinch, NYSEG CEO Lynch

Hundreds of signatures!

Click on thumbnails to the right to see the whole card

December 14, 2016

Don’t Be A Grinch, NYSEG CEO Lynch​ DRYDEN, NY That is the message on the cover of a holiday greeting card delivered yesterday by pipeline opponents to NYSEG’s CEO, Mark Lynch, urging him to look for alternatives to the proposed West Dryden Road pipeline. The card, although written in lighthearted Dr. Seuss style verse, delivered a serious message about mounting opposition to the pipeline, and concern for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

NYSEG has proposed to install a seven mile-long, ten-inch diameter gas pipeline through Dryden, the town made famous for their local law to ban fracking, which was upheld by New York’s highest court.

​“This is the town that stood up against the gas industry and won,” said Linda Parks, a resident on West Dryden Road and member of the West Dryden Residents Against the Pipeline. “That NYSEG has threatened to use eminent domain to cram a new gas pipeline down our throats shows they still don’t get it. NYSEG should not underestimate the resolve of the people in this community. We’re serious about fighting climate change.”

The card says, in part: “So don't take our land by eminent domain /To put in a pipe full of globe-warming methane. / If this pipeline goes in at your company's insistence / Be aware that your efforts will be met with resistance.”

At least half of the 100 property owners in the pipeline’s route have refused to sign NYSEG's easement. If constructed, the pipeline would result in enough emissions to prevent Tompkins County from reaching its 2050 greenhouse gas reduction goal of 50%.

In just 4 days, the card garnered over 600 signatures from people across Tompkins County. In a related action, on Saturday more than 50 residents gathered at NYSEG's Ithaca offices on a cold snowy morning for a group photo which was included with the card.

“Local developers have already shown that renewable energy and heat pumps can replace gas. Look at Cornell and their new Maplewood housing complex. Why NYSEG can't catch on to what we want in Tompkins County is beyond me,” said Joseph Wilson, a card signer and Dryden resident.

“NYSEG and Avangrid, join us in unity! / We want to be an energy smart community! / To protect the earth's future we must all do our part;/ Pipeline alternatives are a great way to start!” the card continues.

If a move toward renewable energy and alternative technologies is to come, it might be through the efforts of County's Energy and Economic Development Task Force which has met twice with Public Service Commission representatives since this summer.

WHY: NYSEG's proposed West Dryden Pipeline with its potential to transmit 700,000 cubic feet of fracked gas per hour through our County is alive and kicking.Because so many private property owners have refused to sign NYSEG's unbelievably oppressive easement, it's highly likely NYSEG will cram the Pipe down their throats using Eminent Domain. SO: #1. Join us Dryden Pipeline Resisters this for our picture showing NYSEG, Tompkins County, and the World that we say "No Pipeline; No Eminent Domain."

Local Control: Maintain oversight of land use and zoning, advocating for small-d democracy in Dryden.

Planning: Welcoming new business to grow the tax base, prioritizing needs based on available funds, increasing tourism

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Public Information Session on Changes to Town Zoning LawWednesday, June 10 @ the Dryden Town Hall 7:00 PM

Public Information Session on Changes to Town Zoning Law, this Wednesday, June 10 @ the Dryden Town Hall 7:00 PM: The 10 page memo produced by the Dryden Town Board earlier this year included many proposed changes to the Town's Zoning law that were questionable and highly controversial. This meeting is a chance to discuss, question, and agree on the very few, simple changes that are justified. Anyone can attend.

Dryden Town Board postponed amendment vote

At the April 16th board meeting Dryden Town Board decided to table the amendments to Dryden Zoning Law and has committed to allowing input from citizens before any changes to the law are passed. Stay tuned...

The minutes include the Memorandum of Law prepared by atty Vinton Stevens. The memo summarizes some of the significant problems with the proposed pipeline and shows how the proposed amendments to Dryden Zoning law would roll back protections for Dryden. Also discusses the protections provided by the 1951 Franchise Agreement between the Town of Dryden and NYSEG.

URGENT!! On APRIL 16, 2015 Dryden Town Board will vote on an amendment to that will ROLL BACK PROTECTIONS!!

The Dryden Town Attorney has drawn up amendments to the Dryden Town Law that will MAKE IT EASIER for NYSEG/Iberdrola, and any other gas company, to install gas infrastructure in Dryden. The amendment would allow the proposed NYSEG pipeline to be installed WITHOUT ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW -- it would remove the requirement for NYSEG to submit a special use permit.

WE MUST NOT LET THIS PASS!! Contact the Town Board to voice your concern, and COME TO THE TOWN BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY APRIL 16 AT 7:00, Dryden Town Hall (93 East Main St, Dryden NY) to speak during privilege of the floor.

Video from "Meeting Local Energy Needs with Cost-effective Renewables" Presentation at Dryden Town Hall, February 19, 2015

Hosted by Dryden Town Board, the Town Planning Board and the Town Conservation Board

We often hear the refrain that clean energy technologies hold much promise but are not sufficiently developed for use in today’s markets. This presentation will demonstrate that these technologies are currently viable AND cost effective.Over the past several months a group of about 40 community members have come together to analyze the need for a new, 7-mile natural gas pipeline through Dryden as proposed by NYSEG. Before committing to such an increased dependency on methane and locking our region into more fossil fuel infrastructure, home owners, contractors, developers, and public decision- makers should become familiar with the current benefits of alternative energy strategies.This community group has done modeling to compare the costs of space heating and domestic hot water for residential and commercial buildings, fueled by gas versus renewable sources of energy. They will present relevant portions of their analysis.Join us for a presentation by Dr. Brice Smith, Graduate Program Coordinator in Sustainable Energy Systems, SUNY Cortland. Melissa Kemp, Program Director of Solar Tompkins, and Gay Nicholson, President of Sustainable Tompkins, will also provide contributions to the program.This information is relevant to home owners, contractors, developers, and public decision- makers interested in how we will meet our local energy needs now and in the future.

Recent News Coverage

Come to Dryden Town Board meeting Thursday January 15, 2015, 7pm

AUDIO FROM MEETINGTWC News Story about the meetingNYSEG/Iberdrola Representatives are scheduled to attend the January 15th, 2015, Dryden Town Board meeting. The meeting time is 7 pm at the Dryden Town Hall (93 East Main St, Dryden NY). If you have questions you would like addressed, they must be submitted to the Town Board in advance of the meeting. Meeting attendees will NOT be able to ask questions from the floor. We encourage you to submit your questions by 1/8/2015.

Op-ed in Ithaca Journal

Dryden Town Board Meeting Thursday Nov 20th

The Dryden Town Board will be having its monthly Business Meeting tonight at 7:00pm at the Dryden Town Hall (93 East Main St, Dryden NY).There will be a short period of time at the beginning of the meeting for citizens to bring up concerns - there is a 3 minute time limit per person. Though it is unclear whether Town of Dryden can help us, it is important for our elected officials to be informed about the open-ended easements that NYSEG/Iberdrola is presenting to residents along W. Dryden and Ferrell Rds and the unfair risks that a large industrial scale transmission pipeline would put on the residents along our road.Town Board meeting Agenda for 11/20/14

Notes from November 12th meeting with Greg May

The last recent meeting of the W Dryden Residents was Wednesday evening, November 12. Our guest was Greg May who has been doing mortgage banking for 47 years. He made it clear, he was not talking “for” Tompkins Trust but sharing his experience in the business.

Biggest Takeaways:

Eminent Domain could result in an easement that is better defined, that cut back on what NYSEG can do on our land, and would be overall much more protective of our rights than NYSEG's easement.

Giving NYSEG's its easement before getting permission from the mortgage company could result in a technical default. A mortgage company might want to be compensated for the loss of value of the property, but it is unlikely that it would call in the mortgage.

From a property appraiser's view, the number and kind of lines NYSEG puts in, what NYSEG takes down to clear the easement area, and what it is like to live on the property because of the easement all could affect the value of a property. Adding gas service through a distribution line could raise a property's value. Losing things that make the property livable because of the easement could lower a property's value.

NEXT MEETING Wednesday November 12th, 7pm Dryden Fire Hall

Find out more information and discuss options with your W. Dryden Rd neighbors

NEXT MEETING Saturday Nov 1st 10am - 12pm Etna Fire Hall, Wood Rd

We had a very informative meeting with Attorney Denton in mid October. We learned of many problems with NYSEG's standard easement and learned about things that should be included to protect our rights. Meanwhile, NYSEG is calling and asking people to sign. What should you do? For now tell NYSEG you're not ready to sign anything - and come to our meeting on Saturday to review the issues Attorney Denton described and discuss next steps!

MEET WITH ATTORNEY Thursday Oct 16th, 7pm Etna Fire HallWood Road

Join us on Thursday October 16th at the Etna Fire Hall to meet with Attorney Chris Denton, who will speak about easements and eminent domain. Whether you plan to sign, not sign or are still undecided, get your questions answered, learn about the process and how to protect your rights!

Welcome Neighbors!

October 5, 2014We started this website because of questions about the gas pipeline NYSEG is proposing to install along the south side of our road, from the center of Freeville out to Warren Road.

We don’t want to sign away any rights to our property without much more information about the costs as well as the benefits and risks of this pipeline. But we heard NYSEG is trying to get all of us to sign easements this month (October). So we are urging you not to rush into any agreements with NYSEG before we fully understand the many ways this affects us.

Below are a few of the questions we have and some of the reasons we are concerned.

How much of my yard would be dug up to lay the pipeline? NYSEG would have the right to use up to 15 feet from the edge of the road into your property.

Will NYSEG replant any trees or shrubs they remove? No, and the agreement says that you can’t replant trees or shrubs along the easement either.

Who is paying for the pipeline, and who’s in charge if there is a leak or explosion? Ratepayers will cover the costs, and local towns would need to make evacuation plans.

How much will it cost me to connect my home and convert my home equipment to natural gas? NYSEG only pays for the first 100’ of gas line, and we don’t know the full costs of laying the rest of the line, hooking up a meter, etc. Even if you already use propane, some or all of your equipment may need to be replaced.

Isn’t gas from fracking in Pennsylvania radioactive? NYSEG buys some gas from Pennsylvania, but it’s uncertain how much radon is in the gas when it reaches your home.

Isn’t natural gas much cheaper to use than propane or fuel oil? In the past this has been true, but energy analysts predict that methane prices will be volatile for a few years, and then remain much higher than in the past, especially if the US starts exporting it.

If you want more information or have questions and concerns, please feel free to contact us. We hope that together we can answer some of these questions.

Above all, don’t rush into signing away easement rights to your property until you get all the information you need about the possible risks and future impacts on your land, your NYSEG bills, and our community.

Several of us along the road who are deeply concerned about this pipeline hired attorney Vinton Stevens in 2015 to help parse Dryden Town Law to understand whether it and proposed zoning changes would adequately protect us and the Town. He found problems with changes and problems with the proposed pipeline in the context of Town law - read the full Read the full Memorandum of law by attorney Vinton Stevens.